I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. – John 16:33 NLT

If I’m being totally honest, this verse used to trip me up a bit. I couldn’t figure out how Jesus overcoming the world applied to my current trials and sorrows, because I certainly hadn’t overcome them. It took me a great deal of time on this verse to grasp it, but when I locked my focus on Jesus things became clearer, as they usually do.

I like to imagine what we go through here on earth as walking a long path through a forest. Sometimes it will be bright and sunny, the birds will be chirping, the flowers in full bloom, the path underfoot clear, and we can maybe even see a flowing waterfall in the distance. But then as we continue on the path, we encounter areas that are dark and wooded, the storm clouds have moved in, the river running next to us is no longer a gentle babbling brook but now a raging rapid. There are strong winds coming against us and the terrain is rough, full of sharp rocks on our path.

Now when we try to take the trail alone simply focusing on ourselves, it is very easy to stray and wander from the good path we had originally set out on. When we inevitably get to those dark and rough patches, we can even be filled with fear and want to give up or turn back. But when we link arms with Jesus, He lovingly gives our hand a squeeze and says to us “I have walked this path before. I know the way. Take heart because I have already encountered all it has to throw at you and I have overcome it. I will go along with you, fear not.”

You see when we join up with the One who has already overcome anything we may have to face, then we can be guided in the way to overcome as well. He leads us through the dark parts and on through them to the green meadows once again. The shadowy stretches may be long, they may even have scary moments, but as long as we are in the presence of the One who has overcome these troubles before, we can know He will do it again. And this time with us firmly in his grip.